I love the drama, the community and the stories that are told when we all get together at the folk festivals. Stories about what fellow musicians have been doing, gigs they’ve played, wonderful folk music sessions enjoyed and new folk festivals coming up.
I arrived at Cheriton Fitzpaine, mid Devon, in England’s West Country at 4.00 on the Friday evening, 18th April 2008, and parked up in the engineering yard (below) under the watchful eye of Dave the Hat, one of the most helpful and resourceful festival stewards I have ever met.
A bite to eat and then I was off to the Ring o’ Bells Inn for the Friday evening folk music playing session. This is the time to meet old friends and enjoy warm feelings of being part of a great bunch of people. Somebody (allegedly Dave the Hat) had put around some free hugs vouchers and and everybody was getting into the friendly spirit.
We played on through the evening and had a great time. It wasn’t the best folk music bash session I have ever attended but it wasn’t the worst. Maybe, when a musicians meet, they need to get used to each other again. One or two musicians, I think, were less experienced and not sensitive to what others were playing. It was still good to be there, though, and I enjoyed the evening.
Saturday arrived at 7.00 am with sounds of tractors pulling slurry spraying equipment out of the engineering yard to the fields and the weather was very rainy. Frankly, I don’t like weather that is grey and depressing. However the folk music session was scheduled to start at 11.00 and I was looking forward to it big time.
The session playing Saturday lunchtime lived up to my expectations and was absolutely wonderful.
Bill McKinnon, practically made my hair stand on end with some of his virtuoso playing. At one stage, he was going like the clappers with fingers flying and I was especially pleased to be able to keep up with him. Folk music isn’t a race but sometimes, when things hot up, it’s nice to be good enough not to be left behind.
John and Wendy were there of the Hips and Haws Country Dance Band. They are truly great players and I always enjoy playing with them. Afternoon blended into evening and the Ring o’ Bells Inn, Cheriton Fitzpaine soon became packed to the gunwales.
Now regular visitors to Cheriton Fitzpaine will be aware that mobile telephone reception is often only available by climbing one of the hills at either end of the village. Some teenagers at the bar were claiming that balancing their mobile telephone on the window catch of the main bar they could get weak reception.
Later, I was talking to a fellow who was proudly explaining how he’d managed to attend the Crediton Folk Festival 2008 despite a busy schedule. Apparently, all his plans relied on his wife telephoning him to arrange him to pick her up. On hearing about the lack of mobile telephone reception, suddenly looking distinctly white- faced, he first tried balancing his phone on the window catch and then disappeared looking very worried. I hope his wife hadn’t got too wet waiting.
Captivating singer songwriter Nicola Clark entertained us with a couple of her songs whilst accompanying herself on the guitar. I’m not usually keen on guitar accompanied singers but Nicola was really something special.
Many folkies have fond memories of Miskin Folk Festival, now sadly discontinued. I bumped into someone called Paul Seligman of Cardiff who was asking if there was interest in ‘The definitive film of Miskin 2006′. Filmed during the last Miskin Folk Festival ever, this film tells the story of ‘the friendly festival’. Contact him if you are interested, he will make the DVD available and all proceeds will go to the Irene Taylor Trust (Music in Prisons), apparently.
Late in the evening when all the musicians were played out, Bill McKinnon struck up a song and in minutes the rest of the pub joined in.
Hilary of the Mudcat Forum fame was arranging free hugs everywhere and, although we were all tired, there didn’t seem to be a better place in the world.
Soon, I packed up my instruments and headed off into the night and my camper van leaving the singers to carry on through the night.
It rained heavily during Saturday night and I woke up about 9.00 am to the sound of a tractor being pressure water cleaned and with a bit of my bed slightly damp from the incoming rain. But there is always somebody worse off when you are camping and a Sunday morning wander around the tents opposite the Ring o’ Bells and splashing across the muddy patches made me feel even fortunate.
On Saturday evening, I’d noticed a young man walking through the pub in bare feet and I met him again splashing through the mud at the tent camping site. I couldn’t resist asking him why he was wearing no shoes on such a cold day and muddy day.
It seemed he was going to be part of a reenactment and having bare feet was all connected with living the part. He said I could share with you a photo of his feet on my blog. Great feet eh? Brave guy!
After a wonderful Sunday lunchtime traditional folk music bash session, I decided to skip the Mad Hatters Tea Party and headed for home.
The mid Devon Crediton Folk Festival at Cheriton Fitzpaine lived up to all expectations and I can honestly say that Peter and John the two organisers have pulled it off again. I shall certainly be back next year to see all my friends, hear their stories and share some more wonderful music sessions.
Were you there? I’d love to hear your memories in the comments below.
Check out the official pictures at the festival sponsors Poppy Records
Bye for now
Rob Hopcott
I just heard from Paul Openshaw who, with his band of volunteers, gave us such a memorable Wessex Folk Festival 2008 this year. He tells me that No Fixed Abode are playing locally in Weymouth / Dorchester again.
